The Early Years
Chinese Taipei and Japan were the continent’s representatives in the inaugural 12-team tournament hosted by Canada in 2002.
Chinese Taipei were eliminated in the group stage while Japan’s campaign ended following a 2-1 defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Australia, who were not yet part of the Asian Football Confederation, were defeated by Brazil at the last eight stage as well, with the United States defeating Canada in the final to be crowned the inaugural champions.The 2004 edition was hosted by Thailand, with China PR and Korea Republic also making their tournament debuts.
Thailand and Korea Republic did not make it out of the group stage with China PR flying the flag for Asia after finishing second behind Brazil in Group B.
Australia, still a few years away from joining the AFC, found the United States too strong in the quarter-finals as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat while China PR advanced to the semi-finals after an impressive 3-1 win over Canada.
Lou Xiaoxu scored both goals in the 2-0 win against Brazil in their semi-final as China PR set up a title showdown against Germany, who dethroned the United States with a 3-1 victory in the other last four tie.
Germany, however, proved a hurdle too high for the East Asian side as they fell 2-0 in the final.
DPR Korea stun the world
China PR and Australia were joined by DPR Korea in the 2006 edition hosted by Russia, with the debutant side delivering stunning performances enroute to lifting the trophy.
Three impressive victories, including against defending champions Germany, saw DPR Korea topping Group C with a perfect record.
China PR were equally impressive, winning Group B with three victories while Australia were the odd ones out as they failed to make it out of Group A.
Hong Myong Gum’s 90th minute goal sealed a 2-1 win for DPR Korea in their quarter-final against France while China PR enjoyed a more serene passage into the semi-finals, cruising 4-0 past Russia.
Ri Un Hyang scored the only goal of the game in the 87th minute as DPR Korea edged Brazil 1-0 in their semi-final while China PR had to do it the hard way, edging the United States 5-4 on penalties after the tie ended goalless after 120 minutes.
That set the stage for the first ever all-Asian final but it turned out to be a one-sided affair as Kim Song Hui starred with a hat-trick with Jo Yun Mi and Kil Son Hui netting one each as DPR Korea lifted the trophy in style.
Japan made a comeback to the tournament two years later, joining DPR Korea and China PR in Chile 2008.
China PR suffered a group stage exit but DPR Korea kept their title defence on track by finishing second in Group D while Japan impressed with three wins in Group C.
Unfortunately, only one would advance to the semi-finals, with DPR Korea edging Japan 2-1 in their last eight clash to set up a semi-final against France.
Ri Ye Gyong scored a dramatic winner in the third minute of second half added time as DPR Korea edged the French 2-1, setting up a final meeting against the United States.
The Americans, however, raced to a two-goal lead in the first half, with Cha Hu Nam scoring a late consolation for the Asian side as DPR Korea relinquished their title.
Tough times
The next three editions proved to be tough for Asia’s representatives, with Japan exiting at the group stage of the 2010 edition.
DPR Korea’s run ended in the quarter-finals following a 2-0 defeat to Germany.
Korea Republic, however, registered a best ever finish after defeating Colombia to finish third.
Japan, hosts of the 2012 edition, finished third on home soil with DPR Korea and Korea Republic also advancing into the knockout stage. China PR, however, made a group stage exit.
Japan defeated Korea Republic 3-1 in their quarter-final while eventual champions the United States ended DPR Korea’s campaign with a 2-1 victory.
Germany proved too strong for Japan in their last four showdown, the European side winning 3-0 with the East Asian side then claiming the bronze medal with a 2-1 victory against Nigeria.
The 2014 edition also proved to be tough for Asia’s representatives, with DPR Korea having to settle for fourth place after suffering a 3-2 defeat to France in the playoff.
The French had also accounted for Korea Republic in the quarter-finals while China PR exited at the group stage.
Asia to the fore
DPR Korea, Japan and Korea Republic made the trip to Papua New Guinea for the 2016 edition and it proved to be a happy outing for two of the three sides.
Korea Republic were early casualties, making their exit at the group stage but DPR Korea and Japan impressed as they topped their respective groups.
Kim Phyong Hwa’s strike in the 106th minute secured DPR Korea a 3-2 win over Spain in the quarter-finals while Japan registered an impressive 3-1 triumph over Brazil to advance. Both semi-finals went to extra-time, with joy for DPR Korea and despair for Japan.
With the match tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, Ri Hyang Sim scored in the first minute of the extra period for a 2-1 win while Japan could only respond once after France had taken a 2-0 lead.
Mami Ueno, however, ensured Japan did not return empty handed as her goal in the 87th minute sealed a 1-0 win over the United States in the third-place playoff.
DPR Korea showed their quality in the final, forcing their way back into the tie after going behind to Onema Geyoro’s 17th minute opener.
Wi Jong Sim erased the deficit in the 30th minute with Kim Phyong Hwa (55th) and Jon So Yon (87th, penalty) sealing them a second title.
Two years later, Japan stood at the top of the podium as the young Nadeshiko lifted the trophy to end years of wait.
The group stage saw them finishing second behind Spain, with the Europeans edging the tie between the two sides 1-0.
DPR Korea also advanced, emerging runners-up to England in Group B while China PR suffered an early exit from Group D.
Japan produced a masterful performance in the quarter-final against Germany as strikes from Jun Endo, Riko Ueki and Saori Takarada secured them a 3-1 win.
France, however, ended DPR Korea’s reign with a 1-0 win in their last eight tie.
Up next for Japan were England, with Ueki and Endo delivering the goods in a 2-0 win.
Awaiting them in the final were Spain but Japan were simply too good, racing to a 3-0 lead thanks to Hinata Miyazawa, Takarada and Fuka Nagano, with the European side scoring a late consolation as Asia celebrated its second FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champion.
Australia made their long awaited return in 2022, joining Japan and Korea Republic in Costa Rica.
Japan, however, were the only side to advance after finishing top of Group D with nine points.
France were accounted for on penalties in the quarter-finals after the tie ended 3-3 while Maika Hamano’s 84th minute goal secured a 2-1 win over Brazil in the semi-finals.
Up next were Spain in a repeat of the 2018 final but Japan found themselves with too much to do after the European side raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening 27 minutes.
Suzu Amano pulled one back two minutes into the second half but Spain held on to lift the trophy.
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کلاس یوس